George III Silver Mounted Coconut Cup

This intriguing sterling silver cup features the shell of a coconut mounted into exquisite silver. A sublime example of elegant Georgian design, the cup features delicate scalloped edging as its singular motif. It is extraordinary to find such a beautiful example of this lost art, exhibiting a rare combination of classical beauty and exotic charm. The use of rare and exotic materials such as the coconut became popular across Europe during the Middle Ages, when it was believed that these unique materials from distant lands possessed mystical powers. It was held that they could detect, and even deter, the effects of poison and as such were employed as drinking vessels, often mounted with ornate embellishments of silver. As more trade routes opened up during the 16th century, materials such as the coconut became more widely available, though still only afforded to the wealthy minority in Europe and England. And, while they eventually lost their appeal for their magical powers, coconuts proved an ideal material for cups and pots and retained their popularity as such. Very similar silver-mounted coconut cups...

This extraordinary pair of silver gilt tazze was crafted by the famed partnership of Digby Scott and Benjamin Smith. The tazze are exemplary of the superior work produced by Scott an...

A fine and impressive antique English sterling silver mounted coconut cup; an addition to our diverse silverware collection. This impressive antique sterling silver mounted coconut cup has a circular rounded form onto a circular pedestal foot. The upper portion of this antique coconut cup...

Hallmarked in Sheffield in 1803 by Eadon, Kibbles & Weaver, this this handsome, George III, Antique Sterling Silver Cup, is plain in style, and features two...